Fearless forecasts: Will the Philippines be ‘cloud dancing’ in 2026?
I received today a press release on Valentine’s Day 2026 — proof that a new year has indeed dawned.
The year 2025 for the Philippines was unsettling, to say the least.
An umbrella in a luxury vehicle led to a downpour of exposes that no umbrella could shield anyone from. We wuz robbed — all of us, save for those who benefitted from the creeping caper.
Though the flood of corruption has dampened the entire system — especially the economy — Filipinos still look forward to 2026. A Social Weather Stations survey, conducted from Nov. 24 to 30, shows that 89 percent of respondents are still welcoming the new year with hope.
Pantone recently named “Cloud Dancer,” a soft, airy off-white that symbolizes calm, serenity, and a fresh start, as the “Color of the Year” for 2026. Are more Filipinos going to be dancing in the clouds with a fresh start, so to speak, in 2026? Or taking shelter from the rains borne by heavy clouds?
From politics to fashion, the forecasts are mixed.
Let’s start with the political forecast of the respected former Senate President Frank Drilon, a lawyer known as “the Big Man of the Senate.”
Drilon believes, “A push by PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) to impeach VP (Sara Duterte) will create political tensions. But impeachment is a constitutional process to exact accountability, which is needed. For the same reason, those involved in the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) scandal must be held accountable. Otherwise, impunity, rather than the rule of law, will govern the conduct of public officials. The vigilance of the people, and of the press, is critical to exacting accountability.”
In July 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that the impeachment complaint against the vice president was unconstitutional, thus barring any attempt to file a case against her reportedly until Feb. 6, 2026 — a month from now.
When bad politics sneezes, the economy is sure to catch a cold.
In fact, former Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, awarded Finance Minister of the Year 2015 by Finance Asia (second in a row from the publication) says, “Philippine economic growth will be below desired targets.”
Purisima points out economic growth will be “constrained by three headwinds: domestic political uncertainty and governance concerns that have weakened investor and consumer confidence; continued external trade disruptions linked to renewed Trump-era protectionism; and increasing fiscal constraints, as higher debt servicing costs limit the government’s ability to sustain growth-enhancing spending.”
Retailers also weighed in.
Eric Lee and his wife Cheryl Lao-Lee of the Anthem Group, which includes the brands Penguin and Perry Ellis, are surely but “cautiously” optimistic.
Eric, who is the chairman of the group, and Cheryl, who is CEO, say, “October and November 2025 were very challenging months, but December showed promise. We are bringing in two new foreign brands in 2026, one from Singapore and one from Spain, which also means that these countries view the Philippines as a growth avenue. The Anthem Group services a certain niche market of unique brands and we try to close the gap in terms of what is lacking in the market. This way, we view growth and opportunity in the fashion retail environment from a different perspective.”
Ericksson and Roxanne Farillas of Plains & Prints acknowledge the “significant challenges” 2026 faces.
“To navigate this environment, we must be more aggressive and deliberate in our strategies, and continuously explore smarter ways to engage and grow our market. The challenge goes beyond increased competition from global brands entering the space. Equally important is the shift in consumer behavior, as well as the broader social and economic conditions shaping how people spend, prioritize, and make decisions today,” says the couple. Erickson is the CEO and co-founder while Roxanne is co-founder and creative head.
Restaurateur Malu Gamboa of the Milky Way group, which includes Azuthai, Cirkulo, Milky Way and Tsukiji, is optimistic, with no reservations (pun intended).
“I’m optimistic about the restaurant business in 2026. People continue to value dining out as an experience — a way to connect, celebrate, and create memories. While challenges remain, restaurateurs have become more resilient and innovative, and those who stay focused on quality, consistency, and genuine hospitality will hopefully continue to do well.”
In the design realm, interior designer Cecil Ravelas, president of the Philippine Institute of Interior Design, sees a shift from “sterile to sensory.”
“In 2026, global interiors shift away from sterile minimalism toward warmer, layered, and highly personal spaces. Design prioritizes sensory experience, tactility, and authentic storytelling over perfect symmetry or overly coordinated looks…
“In 2026, interiors are sensory, soulful, and consciously crafted designed to be felt as much as seen,” she adds.
And last but not the least, fashion designer Francis Libiran, one of PeopleAsia magazine’s “People of the Year,” believes fashion in 2026 “moves toward meaning rather than spectacle.”
“We’ll see couture and ready-to-wear intersecting more intentionally, where craftsmanship, culture, and storytelling carry as much weight as silhouette. Pop culture will still shape fashion, but with more intention, focusing on craftsmanship and materials rather than trends. What excites me most is the rise of fashion as cultural dialogue.
“In 2026, the future of fashion isn’t about being louder; it’s about being timeless.”
***
Happy New Year to all!
You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.
- Latest
